THE GOTAMA BUDDHA SASANA
Established on Wesak of 2005 CE
(2435 after the awakening of the Buddha)
WHAT DID THE BUDDHA SAY ABOUT BHAVANA (CULTIVATION)
The most common translation for the Pali word "bhavana" is "meditation".
However, meditation nowadays has been hijacked by new-age concepts, and often understood as mentally feeling good, non-thinking or even spacing out.
The ethymological meaning of "meditate" is a form of active mental activity. It is more accurately translated as "mental cultivation".
Even in Stoicism, the Emperor Marcus Aurelius even wrote a book called "Meditations', in which he noted many topics to contemplate and ponder on.
Thus, in the practice of the Dhamma, "meditation" is more like the practice of Samma-Sati, which one analyzes, evaluates and contemplates on Dhamma topics.
Even in the practice of Samma-Samadhi, which many equate to Buddhist meditation is incorrect. In many Sutta, the Buddha himself mentioned that the 4 Jhana is Samma-Samadhi. And even in the Jhana, one can carry on his daily life, but in a heightened state of equanimity.
The benefits of meditation have been made known to the world, and there are now many forms of secular meditation taught. However, these forms of secular meditation only cherry-picked certain parts of the entire meditation training, and therefore cannot experience the full benefits. People with impure intention often meditate hoping to attain supernatural psychic powers (which is indeed possible).
TOPICS RELATED TO BHAVANA
The Five Hindrances (Anguttara Nikaya 9:64 - Nivarana Sutta)
What To Do When You Are Feeling Sleepy During Meditation (Anguttara Nikaya 7:58 - Capala Sutta)
The Fetters (Anguttara Nikaya 10:13 - Samyojana Sutta)
The Sixteen Defilements Of The Mind (Majjhima Nikaya 7 - Vatthupama Sutta)
Inevitable Death (Sutta Nipata 574 - Salla Sutta)
Subjects For Contemplation (Anguttara Nikaya 5:57 - Upajjhatthana Sutta)
Attached (Sammyutta Nikaya 22:53 - Upaya Sutta)
The Buddha's Advice On Meditation (Majjhima Nikaya 62 - Maha-Rahulovada Sutta)
The Great Discourse To Rahula (Majjhima Nikaya 62 - Maha-Rahulovada Sutta)
The Middle Way (Anguttara Nikaya 6:55 - Sona Sutta)
On What Is Conducive (Majjhima Nikaya 106 - Anenja-Sappaya Sutta)
Themes Of Meditation (Anguttara Nikaya 3:100 - Nimitta Sutta)
Not All Meditators Will Attain Supernatural Powers (Samyutta Nikaya 12:70 - Susima Sutta)
THE 4 BRAHMA-VIHARA 四無量心 (THE 4 SUBLIME STATES)
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Metta 慈
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Karuna 悲 (Compassion)
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Mudita 喜 (Empathetic Joy)
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Upekkha 舍 (Equanimity)
The Four Sublime States (Anguttara Nikaya 10:208 - Brahma-Vihara Sutta)
Discourse On Metta (Sutta Nipita 1:8 Karaniya Metta Sutta)
METTA
Metta is the first of the four Brahma-Vihara. Metta is a form of "unconditional love", commonly translated as "loving-kindness", and Buddhist traditions often teach that you need to "love" others, and even your "enemies". (Very often, the teachers forget to teach you to love yourself).
However, is Metta really "love"?
Let's see what the Buddha actually says in the Sutta:
Brahma-Vihara Sutta:
“That disciple of the noble ones—thus devoid of covetousness, devoid of ill-will, unbewildered, alert, mindful—keeps pervading the first direction [the east] with an awareness imbued with Metta, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth. Thus above, below, & all around, everywhere, in its entirety, he keeps pervading the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with Metta —abundant, expansive, immeasurable, without hostility, without ill-will. He discerns, ‘Before, this mind of mine was limited & undeveloped. But now this mind of mine is immeasurable & well developed. And whatever action that was done in a measurable way does not remain there, does not linger there.’
Thus, we can see that Metta is actually defined as "the absence of hostility & ill-will".
In most traditions, Metta is often taught only as "to love all sentient beings in all directions".
Karaniya Metta Sutta:
"He who is skilled in (working out his own) wellbeing, and who wishes to attain that state of Nibbana should act thus: he should be dexterous, upright, exceedingly upright, obedient, gentle, and humble.
"Contented, easily supportable, with but few responsibilities, of simple livelihood, controlled in the senses, prudent, courteous, and not hanker after association with families.
"Let him not perform the slightest wrong for which wise men may rebuke him. (Let him think:) 'May all beings be happy and safe. May they have happy minds.'
"Whatever living beings there may be — feeble or strong (or the seekers and the attained) long, stout, or of medium size, short, small, large, those seen or those unseen, those dwelling far or near, those who are born as well as those yet to be born — may all beings have happy minds.
"Let him not deceive another nor despise anyone anywhere. In anger or ill-will let him not wish another ill.
"Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life even so let one cultivate a boundless love towards all beings.
"Let him radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.
"Standing, walking, sitting or reclining, as long as he is awake, let him develop this Sati. This, they say, is 'Noble Living' here.
"Not falling into wrong views — being virtuous, endowed with insight, lust in the senses discarded — verily never again will he return to conceive in a womb."
KARUNA
Karuna, commonly translated as "compassion", refers to the mental state of wanting to help those in need.
It is the opposite of the unwholesome state of cruelty or apathy.
MUDITA
Mudita, commonly tanslated as "empathatic joy", refers tp the mental state feeling joyous for the success of others.
It is the opposite of the unwholesome state of envy or jealousy.
UPEKKHA
Upekkha should not be confused with apathy or indifference.
Upekkha, as taught by the Buddha, is the unfettered state of mind, ever composed, not fluctuating and affected by your emotions.
Upekkha is the the tranquility of Nibbana "in action".